X-rays from Jets in Accreting T Tauri Stars
Abstract
Jets in star-forming regions are associated with accreting protostars and classical T Tauri stars (cTTS). Jets regulate accretion by removing angular momentum from the star-disk system and influence star-formation by injecting momentum and turbulence into the surrounding cloud. Jets in young stars have traditionally been studied using optical and radio telescopes which mainly probe cool jet plasma at T < 10,000 K. However, X-ray observations have now detected much hotter jet plasma (T few million K) in the inner regions of cTTS jets within a few arcseconds from the star. The mechanisms by which jet plasma is heated to X-ray emitting temperatures are not yet well understood, but either shocks or magnetic heating could contribute. We will present a summary of recent X-ray observations of accreting cTTS in nearby star-forming regions (primarily Taurus) whose jets are well-traced optically. We will summarize hot jet plasma properties that are inferred from X-ray images and spectra and will discuss possible jet heating mechanisms.
- Publication:
-
American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #220
- Pub Date:
- May 2012
- Bibcode:
- 2012AAS...22033405S